Broadband Briefs for 8/05/08

Comcast Corp., together with NBC Universal (NBCU), will deliver coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to its subscribers across multiple platforms.

The coverage will be a variety of on-air and online viewing options through NBCU’s multiple broadcast and cable networks, high-definition (HD) and video-on-demand (VOD), along with 2,200 hours of broadband content available on NBCOlympics.com via a link from Comcast’s Web site.

"The drama and excitement that is unique to the Olympic Games is a perfect showcase for Comcast's robust multi-platform offering,” said Bridget Baker, president of TV Networks Distribution at NBCU. “We’re proud to partner with Comcast. Their customers will have a Gold medal Beijing Olympic Games experience.”

Rita Lewis, currently the vice president of government relations for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), is being promoted to senior vice president, effective Sept. 1, and will manage the Association’s government relations team.

Lewis joined the NCTA in January from The Washington Group. In her new role, she reports to Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO of the NCTA. Lewis succeeds Steve Vest, who is departing the NCTA to join Time Warner Inc. as senior vice president for global public policy.

“Already a great contributor to our government relations efforts, Rita is widely recognized for her leadership and experience in government and politics,” McSlarrow said. “Her knowledge and insights will be critical in helping cable continue to forge the constructive relationships with members of Congress and government agencies that are key to our industry’s success.”

• Optimum Lightpath hires 2 new execsBy Traci Patterson

Optimum Lightpath, a division of Cablevision, has appointed Christopher Rabii as senior vice president of technical operations and Julia McGrath as vice president of strategic integration.

Rabii will be responsible for all activities related to network engineering and operations, including the network design, fiber plant construction, engineering, field operations, maintenance and monitoring of Optimum Lightpath's network services, as well as the overall strategic vision for the evolution of the network architecture, the company said. Rabii previously held various management positions at AboveNet Communications. Prior to joining AboveNet, he was a research and development project manager for fiber optic laser delivery methods at Premier Laser Systems.

McGrath will lead strategic business development and integration activities focused on fostering growth. McGrath has held various executive-level positions in operations, sales management, marketing and business development at Time Warner Cable, TCI, DirectTV and Wide Open West. Most recently, she spent five years with Cablevision in various senior level operations management positions, including vice president of customer service operations and senior vice president of fulfillment operations.

• Concurrent names Berry CFO, EVP of operationsBy Traci Patterson

Concurrent has appointed Emory Berry as CFO and executive vice president of operations. Berry has been serving as Concurrent’s CFO since March 2007 through a contract with TechCFO, with whom Berry was serving as a partner.

“Emory’s appointment represents another step in executing our vision for Concurrent,” said Dan Mondor, Concurrent president and CEO. “Emory has been instrumental in the recent transformation of Concurrent’s finance and operations organizations. His leadership has led to improvements in gross margins, cash position and overall fiscal discipline, as well as streamlined operations and an increased focus on critical vendor partnerships. Emory’s continued leadership of Concurrent’s finance and operations underpins our plan to drive revenue growth and increase profitability.”

Berry is a certified public accountant (CPA) with 20 years of financial and operational experience with private and public firms in the high-tech and healthcare industries. He has held various senior financial positions with DVT Corp., Firearms Training Systems and EquiMed.

Verizon has launched the Verizon Flex for Business Internet plan, which combines broadband services provided by both Verizon and Verizon Wireless. The plan is intended for small businesses.

Verizon Flex for Business Internet discounts Verizon’s high-speed Internet or FiOS Internet for Business service when combined with Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess wireless Internet service. Prices start at $95.98 per month, Verizon said.

Verizon Flex for Business Internet is available to Verizon wireline business customers in select areas of the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The bundle is also available in the District of Columbia.